The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-07
Simon Bolivar Buckner.

To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal.
The nomination of Gen. Simon Bolivar Buck
ner for Governor of Kentucky will doubtless
bring to memory, among old veteran soldiers,
and not few old citizens, "reminiscences of the
time and occasion when Buckner in COM
mand of an Indiana military encampment.
Time, July T. 1858; place. Lafayette, and the old
Tippecanoe Battle ground. The hosptable gen.
erous citizens of Lafayette, to commemorate the
natal day, and at the same time do honor to the
memory of ''Old Tippecanoe. and Tyler too,"
had invited the organized militia companies of
Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana to spend
five days with them. In response to an invita-
ton Ohio sent section of artillery from the
Maumee. Illinois one company. the Springfield
Cadets composed OF youths, under command of
the Adjutant general of the State. In the ranks
OF this company, serving as private soldier,
carrying Springfield rifle, was young Bob Lin
coin. He attracted attention the son of the
man who had just closed great debate
with his political opponent Stephen A. Douglas.
Indiana was represented by the following
panies: Montgomery Guards, Capt. Low Wal
lace, Charlottesville; Lafayette Guards, Captain
Fonda; RayburnIGuards, Penn, Ind. Capt John
NJ Wilson; Rifles. Captain klinnlc. same place;
Wabash Guards. Wabash, Ind. Capt &. S. Par
rish Indianapolis, which at that time had two
crack military companies, could not respond to
the invitation, owing to other engagements; and
this was a matter of regret frequently expressed
by the officers and men representing the Hoosier
militia Kentucky responded by sending three
companies-Louisvile Grays, Capt. Simon B.
Woodruff; National Guards, Newport, KY, COM
manded by officer of the regular army, and
the writer regrets that he has now forgotten the
name OF the gallant commands. They were
splendid body of men. Upon organization. Capt.
Simon Bolivar Buckner, holding the senior COM
mission, was placed in command of the corps.
He was man of commanding pres
ence, mentally and physically capable
of Conducting the meeting" and dis
charged his duties in q credtable manner.
Among the many notable civilians present were
Tom Corwin of Ohio; Ashbel p. Willard, Gov
ernor of Indiana and the silver-tongued orator
Henry s. Lane. TWAS source of qualification
the brilliant Willard, antipodes in politics. throw
aside acrimonious, political debate and abandon
themselves to social enjoyment, Henry S. Lane
keeping up with the procession. This is the
pleasant side of s'the meeting" Let US look at
the serious. Whilst apparently all was joy and
hilaritv in camp, there envy, hatred and
malice eft for treason, stratagem and spoils"
working among Kentucky guests The
Marion Rifles, Louisville, KY, Captain Wood
ruff filed their ranks from mercantile men and
laborers; the Louisville Grays. Captain Buck
ner, had their ranks filed from the young boods
ruff and his men, Buckner and his men, at that
time represented the Impending crisis Wood
ruff gallant mani became brigadier-general
in the Uuicn army. Buckner. an ACCOMPLISHED
soldier-poor observation-disclosures a maior-gen-
eral in the confederate army. Woodruff repre-
sented the true democracy of this country
Buckner the aristocracy. / hope that some his
officers and of the Louisville Grays and
Marion Rifles; trace the history of both corps.
1t would be epitome OF our civil war-un paid
labor versus selfish aristocracy sailing under
that good nams Democracy. G. S.
WABASH, Ind, May 6.